Outside the obvious appeal of waterfront or near-waterfront locations, this is an excellent pastime because each little island has its own society, so it’s a little bit like traveling from state to state. Islands create their own communities. Check out:
Cabbage Key Inn on Cabbage Key
Flippers inside Big Carlos Pass
The Naples area offers many wonderful places that allow you to dock up and experience great shopping. The Village on Venetian Bay and Tin City provide a distinctive shopping experience that you won’t find anywhere else.
Fort Myers Beach is abundant with places to enjoy a live musical performance. Throw anchor and take a walk down the beach stopping at:
Nemos
Take a slow boat ride in and around Sanibel Island’s own J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge. Here you’ll likely see dolphin, great white egrets, and maybe even a manatee. Though it’s a small place, it has a number of things to see in terms of natural history.
If you drift slowly in two to four feet of water, you’ll be privy to a network of root systems and have a chance to see many unexpected things, especially on a clear, sunny day. You may see mullet feeding on detritus, various kinds of crabs, barnacles, immature fish, oysters, snapper and sheepshead.
Head out to Boca Grande Pass in a boat and watch the professional and amateur fishermen jockey for position during tarpon season. You’ll see different boats vying for the same fish. While it’s best to stay out of everyone’s way, the resulting show is very amusing and entertaining.